Tag Archive: Summer movie preview 2013

It’s strange to even be asking this. Joss Whedon’s “The Avengers”, which brought together Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Captain America (Chris Evans) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) set an opening weekend record and became the highest grossing film in the U.S. and worldwide not directed by James Cameron. And it earned significantly more than any single Marvel film before it. Which makes it surprising that “Iron Man 3” earned $195.3 million internationally last weekend, besting “The Avengers” opening at $185 million. The question becomes, is “Iron Man 3” going to beat “The Avengers”? The short answer is I don’t think so. Even if “Iron Man 3” has decent legs internationally, it’s tough to see it earning more than $650-700 million. The wild card is its release in the U.S. The good news is that Regal and AMC are selling tickets for the film again, meaning Disney/Marvel worked out its disagreement with the two chains. But how big will it open? “Iron Man 2” opened to just more than $128 million in 2010. That means even if this film received a 30 percent bump like “Iron Man 2” did its first weekend from the first Iron Man, then we’re looking at roughly $170 million for its opening, well below “The Avengers”. That would be a feat in of itself though, given how third films in series tend to not do as well (“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”, “Spider-Man 3”, “The Matrix: Revolutions”). So if this film builds on its opening at all, that’s a good start, the big question is will it have any legs. The answer to that is yes. This film is getting rave reviews right now, although that might indicate hype will become too high. Still, this film should reach $1 billion worldwide, just don’t expect it to get to “The Avengers” box office marks.

Next week, one of the biggest movies of the summer (“Iron Man 3”) kicks off the summer movie season. May sees the releases of “Iron Man 3”, “The Great Gatsby”, “Star Trek Into Darkness”, “Epic”, “Fast and Furious 6”, “The Hangover Part III” and “After Earth”. Several smaller, but highly anticipated films like “After Shock”, “Before Midnight” and “The Iceman” are all hitting theaters in May as well. Which film are you looking forward to the most?

For me, it’s a tough call. I am absolutely, positively insanely excited to see “Before Midnight” starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy from director Richard Linklater. If you haven’t seen “Before Sunrise” and “Before Sunset”, do yourself a favor and check them out ASAP. They are wonderful films and I’m hoping the third film can live up to the first two. That being said, it’s hard not to get excited for the big movies. “The Great Gatsby” from Baz Luhrmann is the biggest question mark of the month for me. He has an eye for style and loves to use some surprising music in his films. But “Australia” was overly long and boring and frankly this close to release and all anyone is talking about is the soundtrack. What about, you know, the cast? Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan will get me to check this film out, but I get the feeling this is going to be style over substance.

The two films I’m not excited for are “The Hangover Part III” and “After Earth”. For “The Hangover”, the good news is it won’t be the worst in the trilogy, but that’s only because the second film was so terrible. Todd Phillips really didn’t hit it with another road trip comedy, “Due Date” and this one will likely have a few funny moments, but fall flat a a whole. And “After Earth”. All I have to say is this: M. Night Shyamalan. The trailer had the unintended effect of making me laugh. I don’t have high hopes for that film at all.

I am excited for “Iron Man 3”. I think the change in director will do the series some good and Robert Downey Jr. should shine. But part of me does wonder if I’ll get Marvel fatigue pretty soon. “Star Trek Into Darkness” looks amazing. But let’s not forget with expectations sky rocketing, the first film was light on action and if you look at J.J. Abrams’ history, action is not his strongest suit. “Fast and Furious 6”, well there’s nothing wrong with a good action film. “Epic” looks like Fern Gully, but hey, I’m intrigued. “Before Midnight” tops my list of most anticipated film of May with ‘Iron Man 3″, FF6 and “Star Trek” close behind.